Today on the podcast we speak to Brother Louis Canter about Lay Ecclesial Ministry. Why is it so important to the future of the Church, and how can we foster its growth?

Today’s episode comes from the November 2018 edition of NPM’s Pastoral Music magazine. The article “Spiritual Resolutions for a New Liturgical Year” was written by Margaret Felice. Now, full disclosure: keep in mind that this article was written at a time when masks were not required, “physical distancing” was not a phrase one heard each day, and public singing was more than welcomed in our sacred spaces. While I understand that all of these things our temporary in our society, it bears mentioning, as Margaret refers to singing during this article. We can’t endorse public singing with others just yet, but we hope the sentiment and core of Margaret’s message still sound true in your heart during these last few days of Advent.

The topic of self-care is an elusive one for pastoral musicians, as our calling is to serve others. It is a charism that extends to all that we do in ministry. We sacrifice our weekends, our holidays, our days off to play an unexpected funeral of someone we so value in our parish, and so on. I know that many of us are happy to do it because, again, we are pastoral ministers! But what are the unique needs for us, as ministers, in 2020? How does “taking care of ourselves” look like this year?

Today on the podcast we speak with Holly Mohr, Director of Religious Education for the South Side/Mount Washington Parish Community in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Holly has the gift of seeing the sacred in the chaos which we all need during this pandemic year. If you’re feeling even a bit of uncertainty in your ministry or just in life this Advent season, this episode is for you.

As Kate Basi discussed in last week’s episode, 2020 has cracked open our world and the things we expect within it. But is there a small sliver of positivity in the midst of this waiting? Can we use this time as space to truly center ourselves this Advent?

Today on the podcast we feature a replay from Dr. Tony Alonso. Tony’s Key Change from the 2019 focuses on finding stillness and silence in our world as Catholics, and we believe it is a perfect way to begin the Advent season filled with waiting in our world.

As we start Thanksgiving week in the United States, we ask:

Is there space for gratitude, in the midst of division, chaos, and overcrowded hospitals? How can we pause for Thanksgiving when so many lives are at stake?

The truth is, we can’t. At least, we cannot to the fullest expression of Thanksgiving that many of us are used to. And yet, in the midst of the chaos, the uncertainty, and the awful virus that plagues our country, there might be a way to express gratitude. There might just be a silver lining.

NPM has been changing greatly in the last 18 months. Many members are familiar with the phrase “NPM 2.0”, an initiative to examine NPM at its core so we can best serve the members and vision it seeks to serve. I’m glad to say that this episode is a major update to our listeners as to how the process has developed.

Today on the episode I feature Valerie Lee-Jeter and Bob McCarty.

Valerie is the Music Director at St. Vincent de Paul Church, Philadelphia with an MA in Liturgical Studies, and is a member of the NPM Board of Directors.

Bob McCarty is NPM’s interim Executive Director, having served in leadership and guidance roles in NPM regarding the NPM 2.0 initiative.

Valerie, Bob and I sit down and discuss: what has changed? When will it go into effect? And when will we retire the use of the phrase, “NPM 2.0”?

Today’s episode features Sister Thea Bowman as she addressed the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1989, less than one year from her death due to breast cancer. Sister Thea’s powerful word and song echoed in the minds of those who were gathered that day, and those who still listen, as she asks: “What does it mean to be black in the Church and in society today?”

As pastoral musicians who spend countless hours in God’s house, facilitating prayer for others, how can we deepen our prayer experience? How do we discern the time needed for our own prayer practice, apart from the ministry we offer to others?

Today on the podcast we discuss the Liturgy of the Hours and Eucharistic Adoration, two experiences of prayer that help us to encounter Christ in deeper ways.

Today I have the privilege to speak to two pastoral musicians who also compose music for the Church. They both share stories of the Spirit guiding their compositions and their time in ministry, especially through the lens of motherhood and women working for the Church. But the message ahead is clear: we, as women, use our unique experiences to support the Church and allow the guide the Spirit to flow through us. But I hope that we can honor the uniqueness we offer without putting our service in a category of “female musician”. Or “women in music.”